MoUD approves heritage development projects in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana

Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) has approved projects worth over Rs.12 crore for improving tourist infrastructure in heritage places of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh and Warangal in Telangana. An inter-Ministerial HRIDAY National Empowered Committee approved development of a Heritage Park in Amaravati besides developmental works at 1000 Pillar Temple and Kazipet Durgah and rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi Temple in Warangal city. In Amaravati, Heritage Park will be developed over an area of 3.50 acres opposite Dhyan Buddha Statue at a total cost of Rs.7.36 crore. This Park will have an Exhibition Complex with 4 halls to be developed at a cost of Rs.92 lakhs, 22 statues at a cost of Rs. 2 crore, over 20 shops at a cost of over Rs.1.00 crore, 4 food courts at a cost of Rs.95 lakhs, parking area at a cost of Rs.60 lakhs, pathways at a cost of Rs.44 lakhs and landscaping will be done at a cost of Rs.76 lakhs. Other facilities to be provided include seating benches, pargolas etc. Exhibition Halls and shops will be used to promote to local art and handicrafts and other products. For Warangal, an expenditure of Rs. 4.85 crore has been approved for undertaking development works at 1000 Pillar Temple at a cost of Rs.94 lakhs, at Kazipet Durgah at a cost of Rs.1.78 crore and rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi Temple with an investment of Rs.2.13 crore. At the 1000 Pillar Temple, illumination works will be taken up at a cost of Rs.28 lakhs, development of parking area at a cost of Rs.27 lakhs, e-toilets at a cost of Rs.16 lakhs, landscaping at a cost of Rs.9 lakhs. Other facilities to be provided are-seating spaces, Information signages, solar lightings, dustbins etc. Keeping in view the tradition of cooking food at the Kazipet dargah, a doromitory will be developed at a cost of Rs.60 lakhs and a kitchen at a cost ofRs.22 lakhs. Other facilities to be provided are –toilets –Rs.26 lakhs, parking –Rs.13 lakhs, pavements-Rs.18 lakhs, illumination-Rs.13 lakhs. For rejuvenation of pond at Padmakshi Temple, civil works including approach road will be taken up at a cost of Rs.1.00 cr, toilets –Rs.26 lakhs, illumination-Rs.22 lakhs, landscaping –Rs.20 lakhs, paving-Rs.11 lakhs and parking facilities at a cost of Rs.11 lakhs. Facilities like seating spaces, information signages and dustbins will also be provided. Amaravati and Warangal are among the 12 cities included in the Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) for improving the social, cultural and economic ecosystems by augmenting necessary infrastructure with the objective of conserving the rich cultural heritage and enabling better facilities for tourists and pilgrims. More projects will be approved for Amaravati and Warangal in the near future.